Begin with the End in Mind: A three-part workshop series to facilitate end-of-life discussions with members of the community

Abstract

Death is among the most avoided topics of conversation. Although end-of-life planning may greatly benefit individuals and their survivors, research and practice indicate that family, friends, and even health care providers resist discussing end-of-life plans. Consequences of not planning ahead have created a public health issue. This article describes a community-level intervention that facilitates those necessary conversations among elders who have at least begun to talk with others about their wishes. A free, three-part educational workshop series on end-of-life planning titled "Begin with the End in Mind" was developed at a midwestern university. A survey was distributed to all attendees to learn about their beliefs regarding end-of-life planning. Inductive content analysis was used to understand participants' thoughts about discussing end-of-life planning. Findings from 33 participants suggest a concern about making plans and ensuring others would follow their wishes. In conclusion, this article offers a roadmap for gerontologists and others to use in engaging the community to think about and act on end-of-life public health issues.

End-of-Life Planning and the Influence of Socioeconomic Status among Black Americans: A Systematic Review

“…EOL care planning can include any of the following: completion of advance directives, completion of a living will, securing final arrangements for funeral and burial, and/or allocating assets to other family members [ 7 ]. This planning process can also encompass a combination of medical care and support provided to individuals near death [ 8 ].…”

Effects of a Death Education Intervention for Older People with Chronic Disease and Family Caregivers: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…Of these, 58.0% occurred in older adults aged 70 years and above [2]. In recent decades, the major causes of death have been shifted from acute and infectious diseases to chronic noncommunicable diseases, which provides people the time to discuss and prepare for death [3].…”